Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, in Practice
As a George Mason University (GMU) student and intern at the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV) and New Hope Housing of Virginia, I have observed various forms of systemic racism, particularly economic and social racism, that continue to exist within our society today, especially among marginalized populations. Competency 3—Practicing Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI)—requires social workers to be advocates for change at the systems level in the struggle against systemic racism, to speak out and advocate for the rights of vulnerable and marginalized people.
Fieldwork Insights: Equity and Inclusion as Survival Tools
Drawing from my own experience, I'm sure that equity and inclusion aren't abstractions but very living survival strategies by the people and families we work with. Each individual with whom we work is accompanied by their unique constellation of differences—race, ethnicity, disability, income, and lived experience—and we need to join them there. Together with them, we collide with the structures of opportunity barrier head-on.
ECNV's Role in Combating Racial and Disability Oppression
At ECNV, I worked with people with disabilities, who were mostly Black, economically vulnerable, and disenfranchised. One experience that struck me was a Black disabled client who had been denied reasonable accommodation in her workplace. Despite her insistence on reasonable accommodation, accessible seating, and adjustment in work schedules, her employer declined. Her story is typical of a systemic problem: individuals of color with disabilities are doubly discriminated against, and they encounter ableism and racism in the workplace, in the healthcare system, and in other social services.
At GMU, my responsibilities included:
- Assisting her in writing a formal reasonable accommodation request in accordance with the ADA.
- Urging her to an employment lawyer specializing in disability discrimination.
- Offering psychological guidance to enable her to assert her rights en route.
The experience served to enhance my appreciation that anti-racism within social work is not merely problem definition but actual engagement with such problems. It also served to strengthen my determination that disability rights and racial justice need not be addressed in an isolated manner but be approached holistically, as is typically the case with social work.
In addition, ECNV cultivates a culture of belonging among people from varying backgrounds via culturally competent practice. Group discussion around combining disability advocacy with racial and economic justice further enhanced my awareness on how policy impacts people of color with disabilities. This data confirmed the importance of intersectionality in ending inequality.
Addressing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at New Hope Housing of Virginia
At New Hope Housing, my main job was serving homeless individuals and families, and specifically African Americans, Hispanics, and immigrants. The statistics revealed stark racial patterns: Minorities were disproportionately represented in our shelters and housing programs—perhaps the most vivid experience was helping a Latin American immigrant family made homeless by predatory lending. The head of the family had limited English, and he signed a predatory housing contract unknowingly, resulting in eviction.
This case highlighted the critical importance of language and cultural sensitivity in social work practice. To assist this family, I:
- Connected them with a bilingual legal aid society for legal guidance.
- Helped them to attain safe and adequate housing.
- Worked with community groups to offer economic guidance to non-English speakers.
This experience taught me that equity is ensuring everyone gets access to services regardless of income, race, or language. It also brought home to me the ongoing existence of racist housing policy and the need for social workers to act against such injustices. My experience brought home the practice of intersectionality and how it is applied in social work to meet the different cultural and equity needs of clients.
Embracing Intersectionality and Resilience in Social Work
My fieldwork has also taught me that no human being should be made to suffer from hunger or loneliness. Whether a Black disabled individual, an immigrant Latinx in a housing conflict, or an LGBTQIA+ homeless youth—all are oppressed in some form or another. But they show much strength because they require a thoughtful, culturally sensitive, and anti-racist intervention. Their strength is hope-inspiring and validates our social work's currency.
Principles of Anti-Racist, Inclusive Social Work
In my practice, I have embraced the following principles of anti-racist, inclusive social work:
Cultural Humility: I recognize that I am not all-knowing and I have a lot to learn from different cultures. In ECNV and New Hope Housing, I took an active role in client listening sessions rather than assuming.
Advocacy for Systemic Change: I realize that equity cannot be achieved through individual interventions. I engaged actively in policymaking on disability rights and housing discrimination, expressing concern about the need for equitable housing policies and opposing discrimination.
Trauma-Informed and Strengths-Based Practice: Most of the clients I served had experienced racial, economic, and systemic trauma. Instead of viewing them as 'at risk,' I viewed their strengths, cultural wealth, and decision-making capacity about their stability.
Connecting GMU Education with Practical Social Work
My education at GMU gave me the foundation to practice anti-racist, inclusive, and equity-oriented social work. Concepts such as:
- Critical Race Theory
- Intersectionality
- Structural Oppression and Policy Advocacy
…helped me learn about the social forces that shape the lives of my clients. But out there in practice, with actual people, actual families, and actual injustices, I completely understood the importance of being an inclusive social worker. On the basis of literature review and personal experience, inclusion, equity, and diversity are not slogans but an integral part of ethical social work practice.
Conclusion: Commitment to Anti-Racism and Inclusion in Social Work
My commitment to social work in terms of anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion stems from seeking problems and being ready to challenge them head on. My time at ECNV and New Hope Housing of Virginia has prepared me to be an even stronger, more conscious, and justice-pursuing social worker.
In the future, I plan to:
- Lobby for housing bills that consider race and class issues.
- Incorporate considerations of race, gender, and class into disability advocacy.
- Cultivate culturally competent, trauma-sensitive, and inclusive social work practice.
- Refuse racism and strive towards the eradication of all oppressions in my future practice.
The battle for people of color, low-income individuals, and individuals with disabilities is far from over, but social work can lead to positive change. It has been an honor to be a part of this desperately needed work at ECNV and New Hope Housing, and I pledge to take these lessons with me throughout my career.
